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British Pest Control Association comments on fox attack

Technical Manager Richard Moseley said "although fox attacks on humans are very rare, this doesn't mean we should dismiss the recent incident of the baby boy being attacked as an isolated incident."

When asked there would be a call for a cull he said "A cull would be very expensive and an awful lot of work. Public opinion is very divided over foxes. If you ask the public there is probably a 50/50 split between those who love them and those who want them eradicated." Richard added "what we are finding is that as people feed foxes and encourage them to come closer to their properties, they are becoming bolder. People do have to remember that at the end of the day they are still wild animals."

Foxes carry a range of nasty diseases such as lungworm and mange which can affect domestic pets, and toxoplasmosis which is especially dangerous for small children and pregnant women.Urban foxes also dig up flower beds, make a lot of noise at night during their mating season, and may set up home under garden sheds.

The latest research from BPCA shows significant pressure on local authority pest control service budgets, so in many cases the public may need to contact a professional pest controller to deal with the issues. Similarly, as Richard Moseley points out "in leaner times waste left out is a magnet for foxes, who learn quickly about food sources such as nearby takeaways or bins"

The British Pest Control Association would recommend that if you have seen foxes on your property and you're worried, you should either contact a your local BPCA member (via www.bpca.org.uk), or your local council if they still carry out pest control.